Psalm 82 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 82 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Verse 2"How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Verse 3Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Verse 4Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Verse 5They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Verse 6I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
Verse 7nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince."
Verse 8Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!
Devotion
In biblical times, most people in the world worshipped more than one god. Today Jews, Christians and Muslims officially are monotheists. Outsiders often accuse Christians of worshipping three Gods: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While we deny this charge, there may be lesser gods in our lives. Possessions, career, loved ones, our nation (you name them), may become more important to us than the Creator, the Savior or the Comforter. We may not have idols of stone we bow down to and worship. But “other gods” do not need names or rituals to qualify. That is why the first commandment stands where it does in Exodus 20. The One who created the universe and gave us life is that only One worthy of worship. That God should send his son and give him up for us makes any other “god” no more than a pale imitation of the real One.
Prayer
Gracious God, no one can really compete with you for our devotion. We gladly give up all the other “gods” whom we are tempted to fear, love or trust more than you. Amen.